DOWNES Crediton Senior section is well represented in the club with 290 Senior Ladies and Gentlemen members.

Fifty five is the standard age for eligibility in many senior competitions at UK golf clubs.

Downes seniors moved their eligibility from 60 to 55 a few years ago, a move that was not entirely popular with all the members.

An understandable point of view when you realise there are many members in their 80’s, and a few in their 90s competing with players 30 years younger!

However one of the common discussions in the golfing world is the continual debate about the many and varied rules.

The Seniors play weekly competitions throughout the year, as well as a large number of friendly matches against other clubs.

There are league events and the prestigious Emmerton Court knockout competition, which Downes seniors were the proud winners in 2022.

On Monday, May 11, Downes Senior Section proudly hosted their Open Competition.

Senior golfers attended from as far away as Mawgan Porth near Newquay, Royal North Devon near Westward Ho, Minehead GC on the north coast, to Bridport and West Dorset, and China Fleet near Saltash, on the south coast, and many others in between. In fact 140 senior golfers took part in the competition.

There was some excellent scoring and the winners, with 43 points, were David Dimond and Ian McGill.

On Tuesday, May 12 the Downes Crediton Ladies section held their annual Coffee Morning. After homemade cakes and coffee, lady members from Downes and seven other clubs took to the course for their game. Their morning also raised £160 for Force, which is this year’s Captains Charity.

On Saturday, May 16, there was another Open Competition, the Mid Devon 4BBB with 144 entries. The winners were Sam Hill and Tom Bastow.